Quick Facts
Biography
Luis María Linde de Castro (born May 15, 1945 in Madrid) is a Spanish economist and civil worker who has served as chairman of the Spanish Central Bank since June 11, 2012.
Biography
Linde graduated with a degree in economic sciences from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid with top marks, and afterwards worked 24 years as a civil worker.
He was advisor to the Spanish embassy in the Soviet Union and worked for the Ministry of Economy. In 1983 he was appointed to the Banco de España. Between 2005 and 2008 he was executive for Spain in the Inter-American Development Bank.
On May 25th 2012 Linde succeeded Vicente Salas as a member of the governing council of the Banco de España. A few days later Miguel Ángel Fernández Ordóñez resigned as chairman of the bank and Linde was appointed. Another candidate for the post, who was favoured by the European Central Bank (ECB) and financial markets, was José Manuel González Paramo, a former member of the Executive Board of the ECB. Under the bank's statutes Linde will have to retire in three years when he turns 70, and will not therefore be able to complete a six-year term.
Other activities
- Fundación pro Real Academia Española, Chairman
- Official Credit Institute (ICO), Member of the Board of Directors
- Princess of Asturias Foundation, Member of the Board of Trustees
- Compañía Española de Crédito a la Exportación (CESCE), Adviser to the Board of Directors (2009-2011)
- Luis Maria Linde International Economic Forum of the Americas.
- Board of Trustees Princess of Asturias Foundation.